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Why the Celebrity Beyond Lives Up To It's Name

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:16:53 GMT

My Review of Celebrity Beyond

Embarkation/Disembarkation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

On embarkation day, we took Lyft from the Pier Sixty-Six, our hotel, to Terminal A. This terminal is used for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean sailings leaving from Miami, FL.

We arrived right around 12 P.M. to find that the terminal was not too busy. We gave our luggage to the porters, and then made our way into the terminal. Terminal security is similar to TSA security at the airport. First, you show your boarding documents (passport and/or birth certificate, ID and boarding pass to the embarkation staff. Then, you place your carry-on items through the scanner and scan your boarding pass several times during the process. There is a place to take a pre-boarding photo as a group if you desire. My husband is not a fan of photos, so we just went right through. This was probably the fastest boarding process I have experienced.

After we boarded, we went straight to our muster station, to complete our safety briefing. The ship can't leave until everyone has done this, so we get it knocked out before we do anything else. We went straight to our room, and dropped off our carry-on luggage, so we would not have to be bothered with them.

Next, we went to get some food at the very extensive buffet and watched the sail away from the back of the ship. Norwegian Escape was docked nearby, and we were able to see Carnival Magic and Carnival Celebration sail away on their way out of the port. Next thing we knew, we were also on our way out to the open sea.

Getting back off the ship was just as easy. We carried off our own luggage, and were in the Lyft by 8:30 A.M. We easily made a 12:00 P.M. flight out of FLL with Delta.

Activities ⭐⭐⭐⭐

During the day on the Celebrity Beyond, we spent the days resting by the pool and recharging. The Beyond is beautiful and it features a very laid back vibe. You are more likely to see pool aerobics and bingo than you are to see hip hop dance lessons.

There are no water slides on this ship. That's not a problem for us, as this was a couples trip and I never use the water slides anyways. The pool was crowded at times, but the drink servers were quick and friendly. There was live music by the pool at different times of day, and it was all excellent.

At night, you can choose to see a show or relax in the fantastic nighttime vibe of the ship. Every show was high quality. There was a comedian, a magic show, acrobatic shows and vocal shows that blew us away. The ship itself is stunning at night. The rooftop garden and the sunset bar because our go-two hangout spots after dark. There is smoking in designated areas on this ship, so my husband enjoyed a nightly cigar just down from the sunset bar.

I would have given this ship 5 stars on activities if there had been just a bit more to do.

Amenities ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The amenities on the ship were absolutely "Beyond". Everything was sparkling clean, and the staff were so friendly and welcoming. Our infinite verandah was spacious and modern. A infinite verandah features a window that goes up and down to create a "balcony like" effect. It is not a balcony. We knew this going in, and enjoyed it. We did not open the window much, so it really functioned more like a spacious Oceanview. Note that there are real balconies on this ship, called Sunset Balconies or there are real balconies available on some of the Suites in the Retreat. They are limited availability. Our room was on deck 7, Room 7220, and centrally located. It was an easy walk to the stairs or the elevator in minutes. Note that the magic carpet does move up and down during the day, unoccupied in front view of this room.

One nice thing about the Beyond is that it has more traditional daily service, with the room attendant coming twice daily to clean and maintain the room. Another surprise is how much storage there was in the room. It was more than enough, and almost double what we had when we sailed on Wonder of the Seas in a traditional balcony. We got small chocolates nightly, which was a pleasant touch. There are water and snacks in the room for purchase.

One thing I didn't love is the lack of plug-ins around the room. There is one to the right of the bed, where my husband slept, but none on my side. There are plugs on the desk but they were European style. I ended up plugging my phone and watch into the bathroom, but carefully as there was a GFCI and it tripped easily.

Overall, we would choose this room again on this ship.

Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Celebrity Beyond has four main dining rooms - Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, Normandy, and Cypress, as well as a well-appointed buffet. Everything we ate in the buffet and main dining was delicious. The only thing I didn't like about the buffet was how crowded it got at peak times and the severe lack of seating. The line for ice cream was not self service and was quite long.

Of the four main dining rooms, we had the best service at Normandy. This is likely due to it's overall lack of popularity during the time we were on the ship. This resulted in fewer guests dining there at any given time so faster and more attentive service. Our favorite food was at Cosmopolitan, where the most traditionally American food is served. You are able to go to any of these restaurants you choose, with each one serving the same menu with an additional of exclusive items just for that location. You can ask for any of the menus, no matter where you are dining. No reservation is required, and we never waited for a table of two. Evening meals require more dressy attire, with most nights requesting that you come Smart Casual. Shorts are not allowed during dinner. Lunch is more laid back in main dining, with a three course meal being served there daily. There are also a couple of lunch spots that are included on the ship, but these serve mostly sandwiches and finger foods.

Specialty dining on this ship is unique. We went to La Petite Chef, which uses projectors on the ceiling to give you both a 4 course meal and a show. The "little chef" prepares each dish before it's served. We enjoyed lobster tails and delicious soup as just some of the courses. I also heard good feedback about Raw on 5, the seafood restaurant, and the Steakhouse on board.

None of these meals came close to our experience at Eden, though. This restaurant is on the aft of the ship, with views of the ship's wake and at different times of the cruise, the most fantastic sunset views. It's located in Eden, a three story lounge area of the ship which is in itself a destination. The entire back of Eden is glass, so you won't miss a thing. We had crab cakes to die for, as well as filet and a dessert tower with chocolate selections that wasn't even the main dessert. Based on our experience, I consider this a must-do specialty restaurant.

Who would I recommend this ship to?

If I were looking at this ship for a client , I would recommend this ship to couples or solo travelers looking for a relaxing, laid back vibe. Although this ship does have a kids club, it does not have the FlowRider or water slides that the Royal Caribbean ships have that appeal to kids. There were less than 50 kids on board during our July 2026 sailing.

If you are looking for a heavy party vibe, this is not the ship for you. If you are looking for a good way to visit some ports that the mega-ships can't reach, and prefer a more upscale and sophisticated experience, then I highly recommend you consider the Celebrity Beyond. It's fantastic!

Let's explore options for your next cruise. Every sailing comes with onboard credit. Click "Schedule a Consultation" below to set up a quick meeting with Emily to customize the cruise of your dreams.

Why River Cruising is the Best Way to Explore Europe

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:54:22 GMT

If you love ocean cruises, it's time to try river cruising!

Why River Cruising is the Best Way to Explore Europe

There’s something special about Europe. The history, the architecture, the food, the little towns that look like they belong on a postcard — there’s so much to see that figuring out how to see it all can be overwhelming.

You can hop from hotel to hotel, spend hours on trains, rent a car and attempt to navigate unfamiliar roads…or you can unpack your suitcase once, step aboard a river cruise, and let Europe come to you.

That’s exactly why I think river cruising is one of the best ways to explore Europe.

You Unpack Once

This might be my favorite part.

Traditional European vacations can involve changing hotels every few days. That means packing, checking out, hauling luggage to the train station, traveling to the next city, checking into another hotel and doing it all over again a couple of days later.

On a river cruise, your ship becomes your floating hotel.

You unpack once, settle into your room and wake up somewhere new — sometimes right in the heart of another beautiful European town.

Instead of spending your vacation getting from one destination to another, you're actually enjoying the destinations.

You're Traveling While You Sleep

One of the biggest advantages of river cruising is how much time you save.

While you're having dinner, enjoying a glass of wine or sleeping comfortably in your cabin, the ship can be making its way toward your next stop.

Imagine going to bed in one part of Germany and waking up the next morning, opening your curtains and seeing a completely different town outside.

There are no airport security lines. No dragging luggage through train stations. No figuring out how you're getting from the station to your hotel.

Your transportation is already taken care of.

River Cruises Take You Right Into the Heart of Europe

Ocean cruises are wonderful, but many large European cruise ports are located some distance from the places you actually want to visit.

River cruising is different.

Because the ships are much smaller, they can sail directly into cities and towns along Europe's rivers. In many destinations, you can literally walk off the ship and start exploring.

One morning you might be wandering through a medieval village. The next you're touring a castle, visiting a Christmas market or sitting at a café watching everyday European life happen around you.

That's the kind of travel experience I love.

You Get to See the Smaller Towns, Too

Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna and Budapest absolutely deserve a place on your travel list.

But some of my favorite European experiences are the smaller places you might never think to visit on your own.

River cruises make those destinations easy.

Depending on your itinerary, you might visit tiny villages, wine regions, historic towns and places that would require quite a bit of planning to reach independently.

And sometimes those unexpected stops end up being the places you remember most.

A Lot Is Already Included

Another thing I love about river cruising is how much is typically included in your trip.

Depending on the cruise line, your fare may include meals, beverages, Wi-Fi, excursions and other amenities.

That makes budgeting for Europe much easier because you're not constantly pulling out your wallet for transportation, tours and meals.

Different river cruise lines include different things, though, which is one reason choosing the right river cruise matters just as much as choosing the itinerary.

Some lines are more active. Some are more luxurious. Some include more excursions or beverages. Others are better suited for travelers who want more independence.

There isn't one river cruise line that's perfect for everyone.

The Scenery Is Part of the Vacation

This is one of the biggest differences between river cruising and traveling Europe by land.

On a train, you're trying to get somewhere.

On a river cruise, the journey itself is part of the experience.

You can sit on the top deck while sailing past vineyards, castles, villages and countryside. You might spend an afternoon cruising through one of Europe's most scenic stretches of river while someone points out castles sitting high above the water.

You aren't losing a vacation day to transportation.

You're sightseeing the entire time.

The Ships Are Smaller and More Relaxed

If you've only experienced large ocean cruise ships, river cruising feels completely different.

You won't find giant waterparks, thousands of passengers or a long list of activities happening every hour.

River cruises are much smaller and more intimate.

The focus isn't necessarily on the ship.

The destination is the star.

Your ship is there to give you a comfortable place to relax, eat, sleep and enjoy the scenery while taking you from one incredible European destination to the next.

You Can Experience Several Countries in One Trip

This is where river cruising really shines.

A single itinerary can take you through multiple countries without you having to coordinate transportation between them.

Depending on the river and itinerary you choose, you could visit places in Germany, Austria, Hungary, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and more.

Think about how much planning it would take to organize hotels, trains, transfers, tours and meals across several countries.

With a river cruise, much of that work has already been done for you.

It's a Completely Different Way to Experience Europe

River cruising isn't about rushing through a checklist of famous landmarks.

It's slower.

It's more immersive.

You have time to wander through a town, stop at a café, visit a local market, tour a vineyard or simply sit on the ship and watch Europe pass by.

And for travelers who want to experience several parts of Europe without spending half their vacation worrying about logistics, it's hard to beat.

Which European River Cruise Is Right for You?

This is where things can get confusing because there are a lot of choices.

The Rhine? The Danube? The Seine? The Rhône? The Douro?

Then you have to decide which cruise line, which itinerary, what time of year to travel and which cabin makes sense.

That's where working with a travel advisor who understands cruising can make the process much easier.

I help my clients look beyond just the price of the cruise and figure out which experience actually fits the way they want to travel.

Because the best river cruise isn't necessarily the most expensive one — or the one everyone else is taking.

It's the one that's right for you.

If Europe has been sitting on your bucket list, river cruising might just be the way you finally experience it.

And the hardest part may be deciding which river you want to explore first.